Michel Bettane: Dark color, intense nose with more of a hint of animal, wild, almost barnyard-like aromas; large texture, concentrated, ripe, ancient style, but with an intense personality you either like or dislike. 14.5

Thierry Desseauve: Deeply colored, red fruit, and mineral notes; the tannins seem drier than the other Fronsac. Full-bodied but with a real austerity and dryness. 14

Michael Schuster: Dense and ripe to smell; fairly concentrated wine with a firm acidity, dry tannin; a bit extracty in character, quite a forceful, vibrant flavor of moderate complexity and good length. On the muscular side for the appellation. Will need a few years if you like a mellow texture. 2012–20+. 15.5